as in bribe
something given or promised in order to improperly influence a person's conduct or decision
the customs official let us know that he might be prepared to look the other way if an appropriate backhander was slipped into his palm
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Recent Examples of backhander
Sonny Milano tied it up just 31 seconds later when his backhander got up over DiPietro’s glove shoulder.
—
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
Florida led 1-0 just past halfway through the first period on what was credited as a backhander by Niko Mikkola.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
After Aho was called for a retaliatory roughing penalty on Anton Lundell, Verhaeghe posted up like a basketball player and roofed a backhander past Freddie Andersen under the bar for a 1-0 lead — his 31st career playoff goal in 82 games.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 21 May 2025
As Souliere scrambled back into the crease, Ali spun and fired a backhander that found the back of the net for a 3-1 Irish lead.
—Patrick Donnelly, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhander
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
Florida led 1-0 just past halfway through the first period on what was credited as a backhander by Niko Mikkola.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
After Aho was called for a retaliatory roughing penalty on Anton Lundell, Verhaeghe posted up like a basketball player and roofed a backhander past Freddie Andersen under the bar for a 1-0 lead — his 31st career playoff goal in 82 games.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 21 May 2025
As Souliere scrambled back into the crease, Ali spun and fired a backhander that found the back of the net for a 3-1 Irish lead.
—Patrick Donnelly, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhander
bribe
Noun
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The four Miami tow truck operators — Jesus Tello, Reinaldo Martin Cruz, Ronald Alfaro and Michael Perez — are accused of paying tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to the city’s two public service aides, Aristides Paulino and Keri Dixon, according to an FBI criminal complaint.—
Adrian Ruhi,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
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The separation comes five years after the couple were ensnared in the college admissions scandal, pleading guilty to wire and mail fraud related to paying hundreds of thousands in bribes to get their daughters into the University of Southern California.—
Brie Stimson , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backhander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhander. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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